Inside the 2017 GLAMOUR Women of the Year Awards

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4 Rules you should definitely break right before your wedding

It seems that weddings come with a lot of rules. But our experts say there are some you can break, even when you’re down to the wire. Here are four.

1 You can’t see your partner until you walk down the aisle

Snuggling with your sweetie as you drift off to dreams about your big day can be a serious stress reliever. After all, your partner is also most likely also your BFF, says Gloria Brame, Ph.D., sexologist and author of The Truth About Sex: A Sex Primer for the 21st Century. “Who could be better to spend that last night of singledom with than someone who knows and understand you best?” she asks. Plus, she points out, “it’s a good time to blow off steam, review any last minute details, chat about wedding guests, and generally lean on each other for support and love.” What you two do to relax — whether that’s a snuggle session or sex — is totally up to you.

2 You must write traditional vows

“Everyone always says their I dos in the same way,” says Amy Nichols, owner of Amy Nichols Special Events and co-founder of the Poppy Group. “It’s hard to break from the ‘to have and to hold’ stuff.” But ditching traditional vows and writing your own heartfelt words to one another can be incredibly meaningful, for you and your guests. “It’s always a special moment for your guests,” says Nichols, “and it’s something you’ll remember throughout your married life.”

3 You must keep your wedding dress under lock and key

You want your groom to go googly-eyed when he sees you in your wedding gown for the first time. But Brame says that doesn’t have to be during a first look or on your walk down the aisle. “By the time you’re walking down the aisle, he’s in a daze anyway,” she says, “so a pre-wedding fashion show is fine if you really want him to appreciate how gorgeous you look. You can make it sexier by teasing him about how he can carefully tear it off you once they’re married.”

4 You must have a bachelor and bachelorette party

Most guys and gals have one last hurrah to celebrate their dwindling days of singledom. “It’s pretty common to have one last crazy night on town just before your wedding,” agrees Nichols. “But consider trading a wild night for something a little more sophisticated, such as a painting or pottery class for the ladies. Take the guys golfing or on an extreme outing like cliff-diving. Not only will your wedding party remember this event much more, but you’ll avoid the inevitable hangover.”